Artist statement
Over the last ten years I have been making large scale, mandala-like Spirograph drawings. The series of works continues to grow; like the obsessive process itself, it is difficult to stop despite the harm that such a repetitive action has on my body. In the most recent Spirograph drawings the single cell-like structures begin to morph into each other, join and split creating new shapes and patterns in the space between the forms.
This in turn has led to a new series of paintings and collages where I have started to investigate, in a more conscious and systematic manner, the underlying principles of mathematics and geometry. Complex kaleidoscopic forms hover on gesso panels while everyday materials, such as Tip-ex, graph paper and envelopes are re-worked, drawing attention to the unexpected beauty and order found in the things around us.
Qualifications and training
- 1999 MA Fine Art, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester
- 1993 MA History of Art, Goldsmith's College, University of London
- 1987 BA (Hons) Fine Art, Nottingham Trent University, Nottingham
Employment
- 2003 Lecturer Fine Art and Contextual Studies, University College Chester, Chester
Solo exhibitions
- 2010 All the Small Things, Grosvenor Museum & Art Gallery, Chester
- 2008 Hypotrochoids, Hive Gallery, Barnsley
- 2008 Reach, The Chapman Gallery, Salford
- 2008 Time and Time Again, Touchstones, Rochdale
- 2007 Going Straight, The Otter Gallery, Chichester
- 2006 Tutti Fruitti, BLOCspace, Sheffield
- 2003 Turning Circle, Taxi Gallery, Cambridge
Group exhibitions
- 2013 Beauty is the First Test (touring show), The Pumphouse Gallery, R-Space, Linen Rooms, the NCCD and Bliston Craft Gallery., London, Northern Ireland, Sleaford and Wolverhampton
- 2012 Fixation, Wolstenholme Creative Space, Liverpool
- 2011 Suite Studios, Cornerhouse Projects, Manchester
- 2011 Into the Woods, Alvanley Cliff Woods, Cheshire
- 2010 The Jerwood Drawing Prize, Jerwood Space, London (& touring)
- 2010 The Affordable Art Fair, Alicia David Contemporary Art, London & New York
- 2010 AXIS curated show,, Arts Council England,, London
- 2010 Above The Serious, Stoke Newington Library, London
- 2010 The Conversation, Newton Church, Chester
- 2010 Wish You Were Here; An Exploration into Drawing & Journeys, Bath Spa University Gallery, Weston-super-Mare
- 2010 Making Marks, Touchstones Gallery, Rochdale
- 2010 Lines of Desire, Oriel Davies Gallery, Newtown, Wales
- 2010 The Drawing Shed, Project Space Leeds, (PSL)
- 2010 4 Degrees, Cube Gallery, Manchester
- 2010 At Play 2, South Hill Park, Berkshire
- 2009 FRINGEMK, Catalogue Finalist, Milton Keynes
- 2009 Wrexham Open (Prizewinner; Best Professional), Oriel Wrecsam, Wales
- 2009 Encounter, Novas, Liverpool
- 2009 Pattern Recognition, The City Gallery, Leicester
- 2009 A42D, Bloc Space, Sheffield
- 2009 Grosvenor Open (Prizewinner), Grosvenor Museum, Chester
- 2009 Superabundant - Pattern in Contemporary Art, Turner Contemporary, Margate
- 2009 Sale, The Royal Standard, Liverpool
- 2008 Present, Hive Gallery, Barnsley
- 2008 The Baltic Frame, Arena Gallery, Liverpool Biennial
- 2007 Repeat Repeat: Negotiated Positions, University College Chester, Chester
- 2006 Wall to Wall, VINEspace, Vyner Street, London
- 2006 Multiples, LOT, Bristol
- 2004 We Go Round and Round in the Night and are Consumed by Fire, Terminal Warehouse, New York &, Liverpool Biennial
- 2004 Remote Control, Angel Row Gallery, Nottingham
- 2004 Pizza Express Prospects, Tea Building, London
- 2003 Thermo 03, The Lowery, Salford
- 2002 Mostyn 12, Oriel Mostyn Gallery, Llandudno
- 2002 New Contemporaries, The Barbican, London
- 2001 All Colours Will Agree in the Dark, Corner House, Manchester
Competitions, prizes and awards
- 2010 The Jerwood Drawing Prize (finalist), The Jerwood Space,, London
- 2004 Pizza Express Prospects, (Finalist), Tea Building, London
- 2004 Michael Gourley Award, MAFA Open, Manchester
- 2003 Beck's Futures, (nominated), ICA, London
- 2002 Bloombergs New Contemporaries, THe Barbican, London &, Static, Liverpool
Personal website
